Should the Phils extend Lee? Bring back Stairs and Myers? Time to fire up the hot stove.
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Should the Phils extend Lee? Bring back Stairs and Myers? Time to fire up the hot stove.
Andy Martino
In tomorrow’s Inquirer, we’ll look at a lengthy list of the questions general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. and his staff must quickly discuss, as they plot a strategy for 2010. Here is a preview of a few:
Is it a good idea to pursue a contract extension with Cliff Lee?
The lefthander became the Phils ace after he arrived from Cleveland in late July, and enjoyed a dominant postseason. Those very factors make this a risky time to award Lee with a long-term contract. Rather than paying a pitcher for what he did this summer and fall, the Phils will have to consider what the 31-year-old Lee will be worth as he climbs into his mid-thirties. The pitcher will likely seek a deal comparable to the seven-year, $161 million contract the New York Yankees offered his friend CC Sabathia last year.
The Phils will almost certainly exercise the $9 million option on Lee for 2010. The pitcher would become a free agent after the season, if he and the club do not reach an agreement before then. As good as Lee has been, the Phils might be better off enjoying an affordable year, then deciding what the pitcher is worth to them going forward.
Can Pedro Martinez pitch effectively for an entire season?
The old goat entertained Philadelphia fans this summer, and surprised some skeptics with his professionalism, mentoring of younger players, and deep intelligence. But he did not prove that he could remain healthy for even half a season.
One start after throwing 130 pitches on Sept. 13, Martinez injured his neck or rib swinging at a curveball. He then missed most of the next month. During the postseason, he re-asserted his ability to outthink hitters, but the 38-year-old did not address questions about his durability. The Phils would likely be wary of any deal with the veteran that was not heavily laden with incentives based on performance and appearances.
What to do about Brett Myers?
Myers and the Phillies could use one another next season. The 29-year-old pitcher is a free agent, but his value dropped because he missed most of this season with hip surgery and a muscle tear in his upper back. The Phils enter the season with questions about their bullpen and closer, Brad Lidge. A one-year contract for Myers, allowing the pitcher to prove he can be healthy and effective before becoming a free agent at 30, and giving the Phils a Plan B to close games, would make sense for both parties.
Is Matt Stairs worth one more season?
Stairs’ .194 batting average this season indicated that, at 41, he was no longer an effective player. Right? Not exactly. The pinch-hitter was a tough out for good relief pitchers all season, maintaining a .357 on-base percentage.
Stairs hopes to return for a final season, and would be willing to sign a bargain-rate contract. With bench help hard to find, why not at least bring him to spring training?
Can they lure a super utility player to provide rest for Utley and Rollins?
You know that talented young core of players the Phils have? Well, they are still talented, but it’s time to stop calling them young. Infielders Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley are in their early 30s, and need more rest than manager has Charlie Manuel has provided in the past.
Manuel has been hesitant to remove either player from the lineup, he said recently, because he does not have a capable backup. That was a tacit indictment of Eric Bruntlett, the versatile defender who struggles offensively.
Two members of this winter's free agent class would fit the need for an upgrade over Bruntlett, who will likely not return: Mark DeRosa of the St. Louis Cardinals and Marco Scutaro of the Toronto Blue Jays. DeRosa could also spell Raul Ibanez in left field.
It is challenging, though, to sign free agents without promising a starting job, and the Phils would have to pay well lure a top role player.
Does Pedro Feliz’s defense and affordability make up for his offense?
Pedro Feliz is a defensive master and offensive liability. His .720 OPS in 2009 was 18th among 20 qualifying third basemen, but his athleticism in the field provided rare value. The Phils hold an affordable $5 million option on Feliz, and must decide within the next four days whether to exercise it. One more season of Feliz appears the most likely outcome.
More for ya tomorrow.
Audio: Utley, Howard, Manuel reflect on loss
I would like the Phils to grab Scutaro. Add more pop to the bench— PhillyGuy18- Adrian Beltre is a superior defender who will be cheap coming off a "down," injured year. He's no superstar, but he has more power and an edge in OBP to Feliz, and if he can be had for 2 years/16-20M, why the heck not? Feliz is a nice defender, but quickly turning into a singularity low in the lineup.— boyep2
- Adrian Beltre is a superior defender who will be cheap coming off a "down," injured year. He's no superstar, but he has more power and an edge in OBP to Feliz, and if he can be had for 2 years/16-20M, why the heck not? Feliz is a nice defender, but quickly turning into a singularity low in the lineup.— boyep2
- We should go after Beltre for sure and I also think they should go after JJ Putz, even though he was hurt this year, he was very good before, we could get him cheap, and he would also like to show up the New York Mess— philsfan94
- Feliz does make some great plays, but had a .966 FP only good enough for 11 in baseball and committed 15 errors, which was only good enough for 13 fewest at third in baseball. Not good enough to overlook a .266 batting average.— phillysmith
- 1. Cliff Lee - extend if a reasonable contract can be reached (even up to 7 years); otherwise take option 2. Myers - offer cheap contract only if you have a plan (either starter or reliever) AND the team will not deviate 3. Pedro - no chance - he has run out of gas 4. Stairs - no chance - he stinks 5. Feliz - keep at least one more year - the rest of the team's offense is fine even with Feliz as the 7 or 8 hitter 6. super-backup - needed, especially as a replacement for Bruntlett and Dobbs
Comment removed.- no Lee extension, no Stairs, no Myers, no Feliz.— bobbyd24
- Feliz looked to be in serious decline at season's end in the playoffs. Beltre or Figgins are, at the least, just as good at fielding than Feliz, if not better, with more to offer offensively. (3B has been a problem for the Phillies since the Rolen trade. Before that, it was always one of our strengths.)— owls93
- Putz doesn't want to be a set up guy after being a closer in Seattle. He openly chafed about that when the Mets got him last year. I'd like to see them pick up Scutaro or Da Rosa--however, as the article said, they're going to have to pay top money for them not to start. I'd like to see them get another LH bat instead of Stairs. With the way he is used, he needs quality at bats to be effective, and only getting maybe 50ab a season isn't going to cut it. Myers would be a good re-signing and put him in the bullpen. A starter I think they should bring in for a look see is LHP Noah Lowry. The guy missed the last two seasons with arm trouble, but I was reading the SF Chronicle and his agent, at least, is saying he's throwing 3 times a week. He's only 28, and he has a 40-31 record with a 4.03 ERA. The Giants dropped him from their 40 man roster mking him a FA.— bobbyuk
- why spend the money on a 3rd basemen? phils need some pitching and bench. sure feliz isnt great at the plate, but when you have the other guys in the lineup, you can afford to have weaker bat like feliz out there.— Greg S
- Sign Jerry Hairston Jr. to replace Bruntlett. He can play all over the field and played for $2 million this season. And by August of next year Ruben better have Michael Taylor and Domonic Brown in the bigs serving as part-time players. They'd be HUGE young bats off the bench in the post-season.— clunkerlane
- These are all great questions. I need at least another day or two to decompress from the World Series before I can objectively think about next year. Lee for 7 years $160 mil = no way.— Gary Varsho
- No on Stairs - No on Lee extension - yes on Myers and yes on Feliz because if you strike out on another 3rd baseman you are hosed their fielding won them many games— bsaw
- C. Lee: Agreed. Plus, if he isn't signed, he would be a Class A FA and we get 2 picks. Doesn't help the now but helps the farm. Pedro: I'm okay either way, leaning towards not having him back if it will impede anyone else's progress. Don't forget, we still have old man Moyer as well. Myers: Agreed. If the price is right, keep him around for SP or 'pen depth. We don't know what Hamels and Lidge will look like and injuries always happen to pitching staffs. Stairs: He can stay if the price is right (i.e. low) however he can't be the only and/or main bench player. Love Stairs but he's expendable. Bench: Agreed. We knew this last off season and the Phils tried (Garciapara et. all) to address. Benny Fresh, in spite of weak playoff showing, will help the bench next year. Feliz: Good guy, good defensive, offensive liability. Depending on the payroll and how things break, is he candidate for super-sub? Bring in Beltre for 3rd and move Feliz to the bench? Pedro won't be happy but we need an upgrade and simply picking up his option and doing nothing else at 3rd or super-sub doesn't help.— DennyP
